Island Health

Close to 75 protesters with signs marched between FIr Park Village and Echo Village long-term care homes in Port Alberni on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021 to advocate for better conditions and management at the facilities. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Supporters protest conditions at pair of Port Alberni long-term care homes

Staff shortages are compromising care, says Echo Village resident

Close to 75 protesters with signs marched between FIr Park Village and Echo Village long-term care homes in Port Alberni on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021 to advocate for better conditions and management at the facilities. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
A construction worker lifts a piece of plywood onto sawhorses on top of the helipad outside the West Coast General Hospital’s emergency department on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021. Work has begun on the $6.25-million emergency department expansion. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Construction begins on West Coast General Hospital expansion

$6.25M expansion will see larger emergency department at Port Alberni’s hospital

A construction worker lifts a piece of plywood onto sawhorses on top of the helipad outside the West Coast General Hospital’s emergency department on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021. Work has begun on the $6.25-million emergency department expansion. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Island Health mobile Vax Vans will be offering COVID-19 vaccines in Victoria and Nanaimo over the long weekend.(Kiernan Green/News Staff)

Vax Vans offering COVID-19 shots in Victoria, Nanaimo over Labour Day weekend

Anyone 12 and older will be able to get their first or second dose

Island Health mobile Vax Vans will be offering COVID-19 vaccines in Victoria and Nanaimo over the long weekend.(Kiernan Green/News Staff)
Island Health has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at the Sunset Lodge long-term care home. (Google Maps Streetview)
Island Health has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at the Sunset Lodge long-term care home. (Google Maps Streetview)
Island Health has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at the Sunset Lodge long-term care home. (Google Maps Streetview)

22 COVID-19 cases linked to outbreak at Esquimalt long-term care home

Outbreak declared at Sunset Lodge on Friday after 3 staff members test positive

Island Health has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at the Sunset Lodge long-term care home. (Google Maps Streetview)
A small group of nurses gathered at the B.C. legislature lawn on Thursday, Aug. 26, to warn of a system heading for collapse. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

Rally participants warn of imminent shortage of nurses in B.C.

40 per cent of senior nurses set to retire in four years, 50 per cent of new hires leaving after two, says rally organizer

A small group of nurses gathered at the B.C. legislature lawn on Thursday, Aug. 26, to warn of a system heading for collapse. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)
A nursing shortage closed the emergency room at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital for 12 hours with Island Health directing patients to Victoria General or Royal Jubilee hospitals. (Black Press Media file photo)

Inability to fulfil baseline staffing caused weekend Saanich Peninsula Hospital closure

Shortage of registered nurses caused temporary emergency room closure

A nursing shortage closed the emergency room at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital for 12 hours with Island Health directing patients to Victoria General or Royal Jubilee hospitals. (Black Press Media file photo)
A nursing shortage closed the emergency room at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital for 12 hours with Island Health directing patients to Victoria General Hospital or Royal Jubilee Hospital. (Black Press Media file photo)

UPDATED: Nursing shortage led to 12-hour closure of emergency room at Saanich Peninsula Hospital

Island Health directed patients to Victoria General Hospital or Royal Jubilee Hospital

A nursing shortage closed the emergency room at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital for 12 hours with Island Health directing patients to Victoria General Hospital or Royal Jubilee Hospital. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Port McNeill hospital. (North Island Gazette file photo)

Island Health issues statement on the future of health care in Port McNeill

‘It is critical to create a welcoming, supportive environment where physicians want to relocate to’

The Port McNeill hospital. (North Island Gazette file photo)
Island Health’s celebratory pin marks one million COVID-19 vaccination doses administered in the health authority region. (Courtesy of Island Health)

Island Health surpasses one million COVID-19 immunizations

Campaign has seen 78 per cent of population immunized; 48 per cent have received two doses

Island Health’s celebratory pin marks one million COVID-19 vaccination doses administered in the health authority region. (Courtesy of Island Health)
Island Health has issued no-swim advisories at Clover Point and Saanich Inlet. (Black Press Media file photo)

No-swim advisories issued at two Greater Victoria beaches

High bacteria levels found at Clover Point, Saanich Inlet

Island Health has issued no-swim advisories at Clover Point and Saanich Inlet. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Island Medical Program is looking for female practitioners who are comfortable with their bodies to teach students at University of Victoria how to medically examine female patients. (Photo courtesy of Island Health)

Female practitioners sought to teach physical exams to Greater Victoria med students

Training involves acting as both instructor and patient for sensitive female examinations

The Island Medical Program is looking for female practitioners who are comfortable with their bodies to teach students at University of Victoria how to medically examine female patients. (Photo courtesy of Island Health)
Island Health is rescheduling vaccine appointments in Langford, Esquimalt and Gabriola Island Monday as Environment Canada forecasts record-breaking heat for the region. (Black Press Media file photo)

Island Health closing some Greater Victoria vaccine clinics Monday due to heat

Langford, Esquimalt and Gabriola Island appointments to be rescheduled

Island Health is rescheduling vaccine appointments in Langford, Esquimalt and Gabriola Island Monday as Environment Canada forecasts record-breaking heat for the region. (Black Press Media file photo)
Swimming at Gonzales Bay is currently not recommended by Island Health, as high bacteria levels could pose a risk to health. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria’s Gonzales Bay a no swim zone ahead of sweltering weekend

Moderate water quality issues also reported at Glen Lake in Langford and Esquimalt Gorge Park

Swimming at Gonzales Bay is currently not recommended by Island Health, as high bacteria levels could pose a risk to health. (Black Press Media file photo)
Syringes prepared with Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine are seen at a vaccination site in Long Beach, Calif., Friday, March 5, 2021. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Vaccine first doses now available for walk-ins on Vancouver Island

People aged 18+ can walk in for their first COVID-19 vaccine

Syringes prepared with Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine are seen at a vaccination site in Long Beach, Calif., Friday, March 5, 2021. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
There were 255 babies born in Victoria in May 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)

Pandemic baby boom makes for a busier Vancouver Island Father’s Day

Victoria’s 255 babies born in May up almost 10 per cent over last year

There were 255 babies born in Victoria in May 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)
Dr. Sandra Allison, medical health officer for Central Vancouver Island. (Submitted photo)

Podcast: Medical health officer Dr. Sandra Allison talks COVID-19 restrictions, impact on frontline workers

PQBeat: Central Vancouver Island official shares thoughts on ‘return to normalcy’

Dr. Sandra Allison, medical health officer for Central Vancouver Island. (Submitted photo)
Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. (News Bulletin file)

Nanaimo hospital district may seek help from other Vancouver Island regions for $1B project

Funding for patient tower and services discussed by committee

Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. (News Bulletin file)
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Island Health announces two doctors, new clinic space for Port McNeill

Island Health has leased space to use as an immediate clinic location to avert health crisis

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Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. (News Bulletin file)

COVID-19 outbreak is over at Nanaimo hospital, Island Health declares

Nanaimo Regional General Hospital high-intensity rehab unit again admitting patients

Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. (News Bulletin file)